Search form

Search form

In Washington state, it will become easier to track copper wire thieves as a new law takes effect designed to prevent a crime that can cut off phone and Internet service to thousands of customers. Copper thefts spiked in recent weeks in advance of the crackdown, according to Frontier Communications, whose properties have also been hit hard in Ohio and West Virginia.

Related Summaries

Despite all the vaunted security features of smart homes, such homes are vulnerable to tech-savvy burglars, according to security researchers. Trustwave SpiderLabs, which reverse-engineered 10 home-security products and found flaws that could easily be exploited, plans to present its findings at a conference being held through Thursday in Las Vegas.

Bell Canada, Rogers and Telus have written an open letter and started a public advertising campaign to pressure the government to change foreign ownership laws that allow carriers such as Verizon Wireless, but not domestic operators, to acquire small wireless companies in the country, arguing that large foreign entities could undercut them with their lower costs. If Verizon or other foreign companies move into the country, it would force the Canadian carriers to cut jobs to match their new rivals, the carriers asserted.

A Washington-state man has invoked the spirit of Joe Biden after being arrested for firing warning shots into the air to deter car thieves. The man noted that during the gun-control debate Biden had advised people to fire warning shotgun-blasts rather than buy an assault rifle.

An investigation by KOMO TV in Seattle reveals that there are more leaks in the first six pontoons built for Washington state's $4.6 billion State Route 520 floating bridge. The report includes videos and photos showing "extensive cracking" in the pontoons, which could undermine the new bridge's structural integrity. Gov. Chris Gregoire is ordering an independent review of the pontoon construction process.

KOMO-TV has sued the Seattle Police Department to gain access to so-called "dashcam" videos, as part of its reporting on allegations of police misconduct. The department is also being investigated by federal authorities. A Seattle Police spokesman said the department aims to "follow the law" in granting public access to its records.